Santa’s helpers down tools: Northland roadworks pause

With plans afoot for the Christmas and New Year break, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is pausing state highway works across Northland to help keep holiday journeys (and sleigh rides) smooth.

“While Santa gears up for his biggest night of the year, road crews will be taking a well-earned break to recharge and prepare for a busy start to 2026. Our teams will return in January ready to continue important improvements across Northland,” Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations, Jacqui Hori-Hoult says.

This year’s annual holiday shutdown is from midday Friday 19 December 2025 to 11.59pm Sunday 4 January. 

“Christmas is all about connecting with whānau, friends and enjoying summer plans. Pausing most works helps keep traffic flowing so people can get where they need to go.” 

Tis the season for spreading joy, so we’re sharing the great news that several major maintenance and recovery sites have made good progress heading into December.

• SH1 Mangamuka Gorge – slip A43 repair:  Work is well underway to install a new 48m retaining wall, following an underslip in September on the southern side of the gorge. Enabling work is complete, and the permanent piles will be installed in the new year. Stop/go will remain in place 24/7 until mid-December, with the road then fully open to two lanes over the Christmas/New Year period. Stop/go will return in early January 2026 when construction on the permanent retaining wall resumes, with completion expected by late May 2026. 
• SH1 Long Hill, Waiomio – slip repairs: Excavation is progressing well, and the site will be secure for the holidays. A safety barrier will remain in place over the period, which means the south bound crawler (left-hand) lane in the passing area will stay closed. Works pause on 18 December and resume 5 January, with project completion expected by early March 2026.
• SH10 between Oromāhoe Road and Porotu Road – road rebuild: Enabling (drainage) works continue until 12 December. All temporary traffic management will be lifted for the Christmas/New Year period and will be reinstated from early January. Road rebuild is scheduled through to 5 February 2026.

“While everyone’s hoping for sunshine and beach days these holidays, persistent wet weather in spring and early summer has had an impact on road sealing days, and in some areas, sealing will need to now take place in early 2026,” Ms Hori-Hoult says.

Dry conditions are essential for sealing to ensure proper adhesion and long-lasting results. Sites along SH1 will be a focus early next year as crews work to complete delayed renewals. These include:

• SH1 near Ruakaka resealing (4 nights) 
• SH1 Brynderwyns – Kaiwaka – Topuni resealing (2 weeks) 

Additional renewal sites across Northland/North Auckland, including SH1 Whangārei central and south, SH16 near Inland Road, SH10 Mangōnui, SH12 Ruawai, SH14 Tangowahine, and SH1 Kaiwaka and south of Wellsford, are expected to begin in January as the summer programme ramps up.  There will be more information in the new year. 

In the meantime, with more people on the roads over the holidays, NZTA encourages everyone to plan ahead and drive with care.

“Don’t let fatigue or impatience take the joy out of Christmas,” says Ms Hori-Hoult. 

“Check navigation apps and NZTA Journey Planner before you leave, allow extra time, and take breaks if you’re feeling tired. Let’s all do our part to keep the season bright and the roads safe.” 

Journey Planner(external link)

We also have a special holiday addition of our Journey Planner, which shows the traditionally busiest times on the highways, in case you can plan travel outside of these time and avoid the queues:

Summer holidays 2025 | NZTA Journey Planner(external link)

Trying to ‘make up lost time’ by speeding or unsafe overtaking puts everyone using the road at risk. 

“Please pack some patience along with the presents. A calm, careful trip is the best gift you can give yourself and others on the road.” 

Top tips for a safer trip

• Plan ahead – use  the  NZTA Journey Planner(external link)  
• Allow plenty of time and expect delays at peak travel periods 
• Drive to the conditions – whether it’s the weather, the road, the traffic, or the time of day 
• Take breaks – share the driving and stop regularly 
• Avoid distractions and put the phone away 
• Buckle up – every trip, every seat 
• Be patient – you’re on holiday, there’s no need to exceed the speed limit 
• Check your vehicle is safe to drive before travelling – tyres, brakes, wipers, lights, indicators, cooling system and WOF. A quick check can keep you and your whānau safe and also save you money with better fuel efficiency.

For more information, check out our helpful holiday driving tips: Driving in the holidays.

NZTA thanks Northlanders and visitors for their patience and support throughout another busy year of essential maintenance, improvements and recovery work.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and safe travels over the summer holidays.